I leave for boot camp September 20th and I was wondering how your age reflects on how stressful and how you do during boot camp? 

I will turn 18 about 3 weeks into boot camp and I was also wondering if I will get unwanted attention for my birthday.

Well good for you for deciding to do this so young!!!
I was 19 going into boot camp... one of my shipmates was only 17 as well. The biggest difference i can see for us younger folks is that we are still young in experience and heart.
Just as a general rule... the sudden shift of life style and added stress will possibly throw you for a greater loop than some of your older shipmates. However, that should by no means stop you.

Honestly, i would take your age as something to boost your confidence... not many young people choose such a path. so like i said... good for you.

Heads up... its ok to get things wrong and feel stupid and miss mom or dad... or home... or friends ... or your dog. I didnt sleep for a week because i was so stressed and homesick. Pray that doesnt happen to you but my point is... Stuff happens but its not going to be your age that affects it. Its going to be what you choose to make of it.

As for the birthday... some company commanders do have "parties" for recruits birthdays... parties meaning IT sessions. The shipmates i knew (about 07 of em) that had birthdays in boot camp... were treated just as before. And if you do get unwanted attention... remember its on a schedule... and they were just making an excuse to IT you but if they didnt have one... they would do it anyways...

Just give it your best and never doubt yourself because of your age.

You are going to do great! thank you for choosing to serve.

Thank you very much for the information as well as the words of encouragement! I was starting to get very worried my age and birthday would get me too much attention.

Is there such a thing as unwanted attention...we all seek to be noticed... :-)

+1 captkyguy, and no you probably won't get any specific attention unless you bring it upon yourself lol

I am glad to see this question posted.  My son has just arrived at Boot Camp and is 17 also.  His birthday will be during boot camp and I have been wondering if sending birthday cards were a good or bad idea.  I have the same thinking... While I want him to feel remembered I didn't want to cause him any undo problems with pointing the day out.  His will be the end of his fourth week.

Congratulations for getting into the Coast Guard and thank you for your service.

Now there is nothing wrong with promoting his B-day so that the CC's can help him celebrate his special day...evil grin lol

A musical card? Baaaad idea. A birthday card? Just fine! The CC's already know if someone has a birthday while they are there. It will bring him attention but that's ok. It is all a part of teh experience that is military life. It might be tough that day but it is a birthday that he won't soon forget.

Thanks again, Old Guard2. You are my new best friend to have all these great answers. I'll send my recruit a card and tell others to, but we'll keep it to the basics and just hope that he doesn't get any extra inventive training because of our letters. Thanks, captkyguy, for confirming my fears about sending anything for his "special" day... evil grin back at ya. LOL

I like to help... :-)

If you celebrate your birthday while in basic the CC's will actually be pretty easy on you, believe it or not...just remind them when you go out for IT. Something like 'Petty Officer _____, request to inform you that today is my birthday!' should do the trick.

Like said before, the younger shipmates i always tell them i give them props for making such a decision at a young age,

however words of advice, remember this probably is the first time you are moving out, and your older shipmates have been around the block for a while so be curteous as far as being clean, smart, ect.

The younger ones tend to be dirtier and basically act like they need a parent around. (once you get to your unit)

as far as bootcamp goes, age doesnt matter at all.